The national CRC program began in 1990 with the government, universities, industry and other partners investing almost A$10 billion in the centers since then.

CRC Association chairman Tony Staley said the report proved the economic benefits of investing in science.

"Measuring the benefits of science is extraordinarily hard, because they occur over long periods of time, affect large parts of the economy and society, and are, of course, part of the wider process of innovation and investment," he said.

"The CRC model is uniquely Australian, and is much admired around the world.

"This study provides concrete evidence that we have done something rather special in this country in the way we have structured the national research effort."